NOTES AND COMMENTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 274, 9 February 1928, Page 15

NOTES AND COMMENTS

FAST TRACK AT NELSON WATCH WOUND TIGHT Maidens and improvers taking part in the Nelson fixture found the track electrical and consequently big improvements were effected generally in the times recorded. This was more particularly noticeable in events where the antiquated limits were adhered to, once again proving a strong argument in favour of the pruning knife being called into requisition. Handicap Fractured As anticipated in this column prior to the Nelson function, the Bryce novice representative, Tumatakura, was made a warm favourite for the Trial Handicap, and duly landed the goods. When the time registered by the watch was hoisted “Scotty” would get a rude shock, as the half-brother to Kohara made a big hole in his handicap. From a 3.52 mark the Matchlight gelding tramped' the 12 furlongs in 3.31 1-5. Slight Recompense Direct Wave, one of M. B. Edwards* string, was the next best to Bryce’s three-year-old in the maiden class, and was unfortunate enough to take the small end of the wad, after knocking 20 seconds off her handicap. The connections of the Waverley mare had the satisfaction later in the day of seeing “Dill” drive her home in another mile and a-half contest, in which she accomplished the distance in 3.36 off a 3.45 peg.

Fresh Records When Neerson romped home by two lengths in the Nelson Cup, the son of Nelson Bingen—Neerate established a new two-mile record for the Richmond grass circuit, cutting out the journey in 4.42 2-5. There was great rejoicing over the wonderful achievement, but the echo of the champagne corks had hardly died away when Mac Dillon, who chased Neerson home in the big heat, set the district talking by registering a fresh record for the distance—4.4l. Naturally Nelsonites consider the class .of competitor visiting the meeting just concluded “the best ever.” Leo Berkett, of Imprint fame, who tends his stock in the Nelson Province, had a profitable time at the recent fixture, when he was responsible for turning out four winners, three of which he also drove to victory. Molly Audubon and Maori Peter (trotters), Kodie and Clive Bell (pacers) were the Hope mentor’s charges that saluted the man in the box, and with the exception of th£ 'latter, which was driven Kearns, Berkett successfully handled the ribbons. A Promising Youngster Kodie, one of the Berkett team, is a nice three-year-old gelding by that good horse Hardy Wilkes from a mare called Kotiro, which some years ago successfully carried the pale blue and white livery of the Hope ownertrainer. On the opening day the juvenile ran second in the Bracelet from a 3.52 mark in 3.41, and the following day won off the end of a 3.45 class in 3.39 3-s—not a bad performance.

Murchison Sportsman’s Success B. F. Spiers, a well-known Mutchison resident, who has been connected with sport of all descriptions for a considerable number of years,' has joined the ranks of trotting owners. The first horse to carry the colours of the Murchison sportsman is an aged gelding by Wallace L from a King Harold mare, figuring on the card as George Again. ‘ Being a novice, George was put on the end of a 3.52 class event, but fractured the time by 12sec to win. George Again, who is trained by G. Dunn, of Nelson, was driven by J. Bryce, jun. The popular Blenheim owner, H. E. Fuller, got a bit of his own back at Richmond, when his two representatives Vikota and Mercury succeeded in picking up a stake. To earn the purse both pacers clipped several seconds off their handicap, and each was solidly supported on the machine. From a 3.0 peg in a 10-furlong flutter, Mercury tramped 2.54 3-5, while over the same distance off a 3.2 limit, Vikota went two seconds quicker. Useful Trotters Sold After her victory in the Brightwater Handicap on the opening day, the Great Audubon trotting mare Molly Audubon changed hands, Mr. Louisson disposing of her to the lightharness enthusiast. Miss Johnston. At the ‘-oblsion of the m.eting the Petereta gelding Maori Peter was purchased from Mr. Louisson by “Scotty” Bryce. While the latter clipped a lot off his handicap time, he is a good sort of trotter and should win money for his new trainer.